10 in ’10

Predictions for the Flowboarding year ahead

It’s another Happy New Year. 2010 is gonna be crazy! Last year we had the first IFC, the US Flow Tour was bigger than ever and the fourth Wave House opened in Sentosa. Things are gonna be just as intense in 2010, and we’re gonna keep bringing you the lowdown on flowboarding across the globe. With that in mind, we gathered the brains trust together to make a few predictions about what’s gonna happen in flowboarding in the next 12 months. There were a couple of bizarre suggestions and fewer fist fights than expected, and after the dust settled we had 10 things we all agreed on.

If you have any suggestions, join the Facebook fan page and put them up on the What’s up in 2010 discussion.

1. The Double Flip
   Although Eric Silverman has stuck a double flip on the B-Max, the landing was pretty rough. Jamie Lovett's also done one. Someone this year is going to take things one step further and start nailing double flips big and clean. The safe money is on Eric, but there are plenty of riders with the skills. They just need the balls.


• Board and Binding Evolution
  Boards have come a long way from the original surf inspired foam covered shapes the guys were riding back in the late 90’s. Shapers are working with the riders to improve edge contours, rocker line and construction materials. Better boards equal better riding. And the same goes for bindings. Customized wakeboard bindings are gonna catch on, and the number of board shapes on offer will explode.

   
• Frontside Spins
  Sure, there are one or two guys doing frontside spins on their backhands. But it hasn’t really taken off, because let’s face it, doing a backside spin on your forehand is way easier. But it’s getting harder and harder to stand out. The top riders are gonna start doing frontside rotations to differentiate themselves from the crowds. And this includes flip/spin combos. Frontside 5 on your forehand? Make that look smooth and you’re a flowboarding guru.

   
• Strapless Flips
  Tyrone Rawlins did one years ago, but it was kinda small. Wes Fischer is coming close to landing one and Eric Silverman has landed them. But who is gonna be the first guy to nail them consistently and take them big?
   
• Wunderkinds
  Trails have been blazed, equipment has improved, prizes have grown and tricks have been invented. Which means the next generation of riders will get better faster than anyone before them. By the end of this year, there will be riders on the podiums that we have never even heard of right now.
   
• The Asian Invasion
  Wave House Sentosa hasn’t even been open for six months but it’s pumping. Flowboarding is catching on ridiculously fast, and with a bunch of boardriders frothing to try something new, it’s not gonna be long till the crews from the Far East side are gonna be scratching at the heels of the established riders. We’re predicting some big surprises at the next IFC.
   
• Kickflips on the Barrel
  A few kickflips have been landed here and there over the years, and a couple guys have ‘em waxed on the FlowRider. But with the big step up strapless flowboarding has undertaken in the last year, it’s gonna be about who brings ‘em consistently to the barrel. We’re talking cleanly landed tre flips above the lip.


• Switch Riding
  With the trend towards twin tip boards, a wealth of switch riding possibilities are opening up. By the end of the year if you’re not busting at least half your tricks switch, you’re gonna be nowhere. Goofy? Regular? It’s not gonna matter. The legacy of phenom Bill Bryan will be realised.

   
• Rails
  It’s got to happen. Every sport that influences flowboarding hits obstacles of some sort. Get ready for wall rides, hand rails and funboxes. The D-Rex in South Africa has had a rail or two placed on it, the San Diego riders are often jibbing the edge of the B-Max. Someone is gonna come up with a way to make it work and then it’s game on.

   
• The Unexpected
  Hey, any company that has a slogan like “the future of nature” is capable of surprising you any day of the week. And when that’s the case it’s prudent to expect the unexpected. There will undoubtedly be a couple of moments this year where you'll think to yourself, "Man, I did NOT see that coming."

Flowboarding is in for an exciting time. Wave Houses are popping up all over the place. Tom and crew are plotting all kinds of new innovations in artificial waves and other whacky mad scientist type stuff. The Alt Games in the USA is helping spread the word and the International Flowboarding Championships may just be the catalyst we need to turn this niche sport into something truly huge. It may not all happen this year but it’s certainly going to be an interesting 12 months. Those are our predictions for the year.

Here’s to an exciting ride.